Article describes how prebiotic/probiotic supplementation represents a viable option for addressing elevated systemic inflammation and chronic disease risk in overweight individuals. The key findings support that 90-day prebiotic/probiotic supplementation may be associated with reduced adipose tissue inflammation, reduced systemic inflammation, and reduced chronic disease risk.

The formation of ozone from oxygen and the dissociation carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide and oxygen is studied in a gamma-neutron chemical process blanket associated with a controlled thermonuclear reactor. Materials used for reactor tube wall will affect the efficiency of the energy absorption by the reactants and consequently the yield of reaction products. Three kinds of materials, aluminum, stainless steel and fiber (Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/)-aluminium are investigated for the tube wall material in the study.

This article systematically calculates polyicosahedral (plh) Ag₃₂X₆ (X = 3d transition metals) core-shell structures by the density functional theory (DFT) method to predict their electrocatalytic activities for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions.

We have measured proton reaction cross sections over a wide mass and energy range at the Brookhaven AGS accelerator. The samples were elemental Be, C, Al, Cu, W, and Pb; the measurements were carried out at ten incident proton kinetic energies in the range 0.54 to 7.8 GeV. The experiment was similar to an earlier experiment in the 200-550 MeV range by Renberg et al. The new results are in good agreement with those of Renberg et al. at the overlap point near 550 MeV. The combined results of the two experiments show an energy dependence expected from the behavior of the nucleon-nucleon cross sections. The results are reproduced by calculations based on variants of the impulse approximation and Glauber theory.

The construction of a short pulse tunable x-ray laser source will be a watershed for plasma-based and warm dense matter research. The areas we will discuss below can be separated broadly into warn dense matter (WDM) research, laser probing of near solid density plasmas, and laser-plasma spectroscopy of ions in plasmas. The area of WDM refers to that part of the density-temperature phase space where the standard theories of condensed matter physics and/or plasma statistical physics are invalid. Warm dense matter, therefore, defines a region between solids and plasmas, a regime that is found in planetary interiors, cool dense stars, and in every plasma device where one starts from a solid, e.g., laser-solid matter produced plasma as well as all inertial fusion schemes. The study of dense plasmas has been severely hampered by the fact that laser-based methods have been unavailable. The single most useful diagnostic of local plasma conditions, e.g., the temperature (T{sub e}), the density (n{sub e}), and the ionization (Z), has been Thomson scattering. However, due to the fact that visible light will not propagate at electron densities, n{sub e}, {ge} 10{sup 22} cm{sup -3} implies dense plasmas can not be probed. The 4th generation sources, LCLS …

The Supervisory Control and Diagnostic System for the Mirror Fusion Test Facility (MFTF) has been designed as an event driven system. To this end we have designed a data base notification facility in which a task can request that it be loaded and started whenever an element in the data base is changed beyond some user defined range. Our initial implementation of the notify facility exhibited marginal response times whenever a data base table with a large number of outstanding notifies was written into. In this paper we discuss the sources of the slow response and describe in detail a new structure for the list of notifies which minimizes search time resulting in significantly faster response.

It has long been noticed that the effect of Cu solute atoms is important for the microstructural evolution of ferritic pressure vessel steels under neutron irradiation conditions. Despite the low concentration of Cu in steel, Cu precipitates form inside the a-Fe surrounding matrix and by impeding free dislocation motion considerably contribute to the hardening of the material. It has been suggested that Cu-rich clusters and combined Cu solute atoms-defect clusters that may act as initiating structures of further precipitates nucleate during annealing of displacement cascades. In order to assess the importance of the different mechanisms taking place during collision events in the formation and later evolution of these structures, a detailed Molecular Dynamics (MD) analysis of displacement cascades in a Fe-1.3% at. Cu binary alloy has been carried out. Cascade energies ranging from 1 to 20 keV have been simulated at temperatures of 100 and 600 K using the MDCASK code, in which the Ackland-Finnis-Sinclair many-body interatomic potential has been implemented. The behavior of metastable Cu self-interstitial atoms (SIAs) in the form of mixed Fe-Cu features is studied as well as their impact on the resulting defect structures. It is observed that above 300 K generated Cu SIAs undergo recombination …

The author discusses some legal aspects of measures at the national level to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). These implementing measures are universal, applying not only to the few States Parties that will declare and destroy chemical weapons, but also to the many States Parties that have never had a chemical weapons program. This new need for national measures to implement multilateral arms control agreements has generated unease due to a perception that implementation may be burdensome and at odds with national law. In 1993, concerns arose that the complexity of integrating the treaty with national law would cause each nation to effectuate the Convention without regard to what other nations were doing, thereby engendering significant disparities in implementation steps among States Parties. The author discusses progress among several States in actually developing national CWC implementing measures. Implementing measures from Australia, Norway, South Africa, and Sweden were available to him in English through the PTS. He compares them in order to illustrate different approaches to national implementation that are emerging. Of course, it is important to note that this brief survey necessarily omitted examination of the existing ``background`` of other, related domestic laws that these signatories might also have …

The possibility of using /sup 163/Dy as a low threshold solar neutrino detector is discussed. Solar neutrino absorption cross sections are calculated, and expected capture rates presented.

This article considers solutions to the wave equation in 3+1 spacetime dimensions whose data is compactly supported at some initial time.

We have carried out a number of 2D numerical simulations on an ALE code for shock-tube experiments in which a shock crosses one or more contact discontinuities and, after traveling through a homogeneous medium, reflects off a rigid wall at the end of the shock-tube and re-crosses the contact discontinuity. We have considered two-fluid and three-fluid experiments: the first fluid, which carries the original shock, is air; the other fluids are helium, freon, SF/sub 6/, or air again. Helium is lighter than air, while freon and SF/sub 6/ are heavier than air. The interface(s) between the fluids serve as contact discontinuities and are subjected to the original shock, the re-shock, and subsequent rarefactions/compressions. 9 refs., 6 figs.

This paper describes the pulse power systems that are used in these lasers; the status and the operating experiences. The pulsed power system for the Nova Laser is comprised of several distinct technology areas. The large capacitor banks for driving flashlamps that excite the laser glass is one area, the fast pulsers that drive pockels cell shutters is another area, and the contol system for the pulsed power is a third. This paper discusses the capacitor banks and control systems.

Our discrete and finite version of relativistic quantum mechanics provides an elementary particle physics consistent with the standard model of quarks and leptons. Our recent relativistic calculation of the bound state spectrum of hydrogen has allowed us to make a combinatorial correction to the first order estimate of 1/..cap alpha.. = /Dirac h/c/e/sup 2/ = 137 derived from the combinatorial hierarchy and achieve agreement with experiment up to terms of order ..cap alpha../sup 3/. The same theory requires that to first order /Dirac h/c/Gm/sub p//sup 2/ = 2/sup 127/ + 136 approx. = 1.7 /times/ 10/sup 38/. Using the emission and absorption of spin 1 photons and spin 2 gravitons in this framework, we try to show that we can meet the three additional tests of general relativity---solar red shift, solar bending of light, and precession of the perihelion of Mercury. We predict that a macroscopic electromagnetic orbit would have four times the Sommerfeld precession for basically the same reason that Mercury has six times the Sommerfeld precession. 20 refs.

The Electromagnetic Fluctuations (EMF) diagnostic will be used to monitor ion fluctuations which could be unstable in MFTF-B. Each probe assembly includes a high impedance electrostatic probe to measure potential fluctuations, and a group of nested, single turn loops to measure magnetic fluctuations in three directions. Eventually, more probes and loops will be added to each probe assembly for making more detailed measurements. The sensors must lie physically close to the plasma edge and are radially positionable. Also, probes at separate axial locations can be positioned to connect along the same magnetic field line. These probes are similar in concept to the rf probes used on TMX, but the high thermal load for 30-second shots on MFTF-B requires a water-cooled design along with temperature monitors. Each signal channel has a bandwidth of .001 to 150 MHz and is monitored by up to four different data channels which obtain amplitude and frequency information. This paper describes the EMF diagnostic and presents the detailed mechanical and electrical designs.

The electrical grounding, shielding, and isolation of plasma diagnostics on the Mirror Fusion Test Facility (MFTF-B) is a key part of the overall design. The Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) environment in which the Plasma Diagnostics System (PDS) will be required to operate is very harsh. The electrical grounding and shielding design which is being implemented to cope with this environment follows one which has been used successfully on the Tandem Mirror Experiment (TMX). Details of the MFTF-B plasma diagnostics facility, equipment grounding, shielding and isolation, and the cabling system are described in this paper.

Fe, Ni, and V are considered trace impurities in heavy crude oils and tar sand bitumens. In order to understand the importance of these metals, we have examined several properties: (1) bulk metals levels, (2) distribution in separated fractions, (3) size behavior in feeds and during processing, (4) speciation as a function of size, and (5) correlations with rheological properties. Some of the results of these studies show: (1) V and Ni have roughly bimodal size distributions, (2) groupings were seen based on location, size distribution, and Ni/V ratio of the sample, (3) Fe profiles are distinctively different, having a unimodal distribution with a maximum at relatively large molecular size, (4) Fe concentrations in the tar sand bitumens suggest possible fines solubilization in some cases, (5) SARA separated fractions show possible correlations of metals with asphaltene properties suggesting secondary and tertiary structure interactions, and (6) ICP-MS examination for soluble ultra-trace metal impurities show the possibility of unexpected elements such as U, Th, Mo, and others at concentrations in the ppB to ppM range. 39 refs., 13 figs., 5 tabs.

In order to protect a set of inductively coupled superconducting magnets, it is necessary to locate and measure normal zone voltages that are small compared with the mutual and self-induced voltages. The method described in this paper uses two sets of voltage measurements to locate and measure one or more normal zones in any number of coupled coils. One set of voltages is the outputs of bridges that balance out the self-induced voltages. The other set of voltages can be the voltages across the coils, although alternatives are possible. The two sets of equations form a single combined set of equations. Each normal zone location or combination of normal zones has a set of these combined equations associated with it. It is demonstrated that the normal zone can be located and the correct set chosen, allowing determination of the size of the normal zone. Only a few operations take place in a working detector: multiplication of a constant, addition, and simple decision-making. In many cases the detector for each coil, although weakly linked to the other detectors, can be considered to be independent.

With VAX software and the data libraries of Henke and Biggs-Lighthill, we have created a library of atomic scattering factors f/sub 1/ and f/sub 2/ in the energy range 0.1 keV to 10.0 keV. Scattering factor values for the elements Z = 1 to Z = 94 and in the above energy range are stored in a keyed access library (key = element symbol). This library allows one to calculate reflectivity rapidly and fold it with other components in an x-ray detector channel. Additional software allows the library data to be easily extended to higher energies. Applications have so far included KB x-ray microscopes and low energy spectrometers with mirror channels.

The TMX-U magnet set has incorporated new axisymmetric throttle coils and fan-reversing transition magnets. This new magnet geometry, which will allow for the experimental verification of new physics issues related to axicell tandem mirrors, encompasses both engineering and physics considerations. Engineering considerations include structural integrity plus neutral beam and diagnostic access. Physics issues include the stability and radial transport of the confined plasma. We have calculated the magnetic field using the magnetic field code, EFFI, and the plasma stability and surface curvatures using the plasma stability code, TEBASCO. Our magnet design allows the axisymmetric throttle mirror to be varied from the end-cell mirror value of 2 to a peak of 6 T.

California has the most abundant known reserves of geothermal resources in the nation, and California State government has taken several important actions to accelerate the environmentally acceptable development of geothermal energy. The roles played by various California State government agencies and the legislature to accomplish this goal are discussed.

We previously established a rapid three-dimensional assay for discrimination of normal and malignant human breast epithelial cells using a laminin-rich reconstituted basement membrane. In this assay, normal epithelial cells differentiate into well-organized acinar structures whereas tumor cells fail to recapitulate this process and produce large, disordered colonies. The data suggest that breast acinar morphogenesis and differentiation is regulated by cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions and that these interactions are altered in malignancy. Here, we investigated the role of ECM receptors (integrins) in these processes and report on the expression and function of potential laminin receptors in normal and tumorigenic breast epithelial cells. Immmunocytochemical analysis showed that normal and carcinoma cells in a three-dimensional substratum express profiles of integrins similar to normal and malignant breast tissues in situ. Normal cells express {alpha}1, {alpha}2, {alpha}3, {alpha}6, {beta}1 and {beta}4 integrin subunits, whereas breast carcinoma cells show variable losses, disordered expression, or down regulation of these subunits. Function-blocking experiments using inhibitory antiintegrin subunit antibodies showed a >5-fold inhibition of the formation of acinar structures by normal cells in the presence of either anti-{beta}1 or anti-{alpha}3 antibodies, whereas anti-{alpha}2 or -{alpha}6 had little or no effect. In experiments where collagen type I gels were used …

The effect of an artificially-enhanced rough surface on the secondary electron emission yield (SEY) was investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Analytical studies on triangular and rectangular grooved surfaces show the connection between the characteristic parameters of a given geometry to the SEY reduction. The effect of a strong magnetic field is also discussed. SEY of grooved samples have been measured and the results agree with Monte-Carlo simulations.

We present a variation of an adaptive projection method forcomputing solutions to the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations withsuspended particles. To compute the divergence-free component of themomentum forcing due to the particle drag, we employ an approach whichexploits the locality and smoothness of the Laplacian of the projectionoperator applied to the discretized particle drag force. We presentconvergence and performance results to demonstrate the effectiveness ofthis approach.

We report results of a search for CPT and Lorentz violation in B{sup 0}-{bar B}{sup 0} oscillations using inclusive dilepton events from 232 million {Upsilon}(4S) {yields} B{bar B} decays recorded by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B Factory at SLAC. We find 2.8{sigma} significance, compatible with no signal, for variations in the complex CPT violation parameter z at the Earth's sidereal frequency and extract values for the quantities {Delta}a{sub {mu}} in the general Lorentz-violating standard-model extension. The spectral powers for variations in z over the frequency range 0.26 year{sup -1} to 2.1 day{sup -1} are also compatible with no signal.